FFA 'commend' FIFA after joint bid wins 2026 WC

FFA chair Steven Lowy hopes the next country to be announced as a World Cup host is Australia, after casting its vote for the 2026 tournament for North America.

The United bid of Mexico, Canada and the United States of America was awarded staging rights for the 2026 tournament on Wednesday, defeating Morocco for the chance to host sport's biggest show.

Australia voted for the tri-country bid, citing better planning, more money coming into the game and lower risk.

"The United bid received a higher score in FIFA's technical evaluation report - 4 out of 5 for United compared to 2.7 for Morocco," Lowy said.

"We also considered the risk ratings provided by FIFA which concluded that the United bid carried a lower delivery risk overall and the financial elements of both proposals where it was clear the United bid was superior."

Australia was a bidder to host the 2022 tournament, losing out to Qatar in farcical circumstances.

Mexico, Canada and the USA will host the 2026 World Cup together. Pic: Getty

The voting process has since been reformed to give each federation a vote rather than the members of FIFA's Executive Committee, many of whom have been tarnished by vote-buying allegations.

"We commend FIFA on the bidding process it implemented for the 2026 World Cup which included greater transparency, including the publishing of bid books, clear evaluation criteria, independent oversight, a public vote and the promotion of human rights and labour standards," Lowy said.

The next hosting decision to come across FIFA desks is the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will be decided next year.

Australia is in the race to stage the tournament, with South Africa and Colombia among the other nations interested.

"We will take on board the high standards of preparation and presentation as we embark on FFA's quest to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023," Lowy said.